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The Aftermath of War	By : ReighHPFiction Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Lucius Views: 29579 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 15
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., and other assorted publishing, producing companies. I do not make money from writing this story, as I do not own any of the rights to the characters or canon plotlines.

Author's Note : I've been a bit busy adjusting to my new home but I've got a job and actually got promoted only one month into it! So I'm doing well. I'll continue to get these out when I can, but do remember that RL comes first and that updates may be sporadic.
I have lost contact with my Beta-reader, so until I find a new one please forgive any mistakes I missed while reading this over. If anyone is a beta-reader for HP or knows a good one, please PM me.

Title : The Aftermath of War
Warnings : Slash, Ginny-Bashing, Anal, Oral, Rim, H/C, Future M-Preg, Un-Beta'd
Pairings : Lucius/Harry, George/Draco, Ron/Hermione, Narcissa/Kingsley

Chapter 14: The Confession of Draco Malfoy
"I…I can't lie to you anymore. Not after that. George….I did think I was dreaming, but I knew who you were the whole time," Draco said. A wave of shock washed over George, his mouth falling open and eyes going wide as he stared at the young man who so quickly had become his friend.
'He feels the same way…'
Draco stared at the redhead in front of him, terrified of what kind of reaction he was about to get. So far, George had only stared back at him, pale blue eyes widened in shock but otherwise unreadable. Draco could tell the other man was definitely thinking, but he could not get a read on how George was taking the news.
'I should've kept my stupid mouth shut! Of course he's freaked out. Someone who was once his enemy just told him they had feelings for him. I should have just kept this to myself forever and been happy with his friendship. Why am I so goddamned selfish?!'
Draco couldn't help but look down at his feet. He didn't want to see the change in George's expression from shock to disgust. Someone like George, someone who was good and kind. Someone who was sweet, warm, and brave could never have feelings for a coward like Draco.
"I…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I will understand if you wish to leave."
His eyes continued to stare down at the floor. Everything was silent, and Draco was sure he was about to be rejected when a pair of large hands came forward to cup his face. His head was tilted up, mercury colored eyes lifted to meet cornflower blue, and a warm lightly chapped mouth came down upon his to seal in a proper kiss. Standing up, Draco let his eyes fall shut as he wound his arms around George's neck and tipped his head to the side for a better connection. The hands cupping his face pushed back into his hair and slid through the silky blonde tresses a few times before George's strong arms moved to wind around Draco's thin waist.
The kiss wasn't long or perfect. It was actually a bit clumsy, as they had never had this kind of intimacy with one another. They still had to learn each other's movements and preferences. Draco still thought it was wonderful. He barely restrained a needy moan when the redhead's tongue swept through his mouth and a hint of teeth grazed his lower lip. He stifled it, feeling as if any noise would break the spell that had descended upon them. After a moment or two, they pulled apart. Draco opened his eyes to see George looking down at him with such warmth it almost made him shudder.
"So, I had meant to tell you not to be sorry, but I got a bit sidetracked," George said with a laugh and an impish little grin dimpling his freckled cheeks. "Looks like you liked it though, so I guess it's alright."
Draco just blinked slowly at the other man as he was pulled flush against the tall body. His hands slid down to brace against George's chest. He wondered if perhaps he was actually dreaming, because he never for a moment believed that George would ever even consider his feelings, let alone return them. The redhead then moved forward once again, pressing the sweetest kiss to the tip of Draco's pointed nose which caused the blonde to flush bright red.
"Are you going to say something Draco? Or have I broken you?" George asked, his tone colored with amusement.
"I…." but Draco had no idea what to say. For the first time in a long time, he felt like something had just clicked back in place somewhere in his soul which had been completely shattered during his year with The Dark Lord. He felt true, unmitigated happiness in a way he hadn't since he first saw his parents had survived the war.
"Well I never thought I'd see the day Draco Malfoy was speechless. Guess I just found a pretty good method of shutting your adorable prissy mouth up," the redhead continued. Draco snapped out of his haze and smacked the other man in the chest, earning him a chuckle.
"Shut up you great prat! I've been agonizing over this for so long and you've got the balls to make fun of me!?" he said, scowling at George furiously which only caused the taller man to laugh more.
"Relax, Draco. I'm pretty sure I fell for you that day in my office when you talked to me about your mum and your sister. You've really helped me heal in a lot of ways, and I'm not totally there yet, but I'm hoping you'll stick around to help me get there," George replied, pushing some of Draco's kiss-mussed hair out of his face and looking down at him fondly.
"I will," Draco said. He had no intention of giving this up before it even started. "What do we do now?"
George smiled and shrugged. Draco wondered if he'd ever been in a relationship. The man was only two years older than Draco, and the war escalated quickly enough to throw off anyone's life plans.
"I guess we just keep going on as we have been. We'll see where it takes us, and we'll go slowly."
Draco nodded. He liked the sound of that. Slow was definitely the way to go for the two of them, both of whom were working through some serious grief and post-traumatic stress. The last thing they needed was to complicate all that with overanalyzing their relationship status or feelings for one another.
"And of course we get to do this now," George said, taking Draco's mouth in another kiss. Draco was perfectly happy to melt against the other man and just let it happen.

When Harry made it to Narcissa's quarters, he placed Teddy down on the floor in the corner with the little toy wand prototype George had given the boy from the joke shop. The baby was more than amused by the sparks shooting out of the end in response to his developing magic. Harry smiled softly at his Godson before turning to Narcissa with a curious gaze.
"So what is it you needed my help with?" he asked her.
"The Minister of Magic and Headmistress McGonagall plan to implement a new curriculum to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as early as this September. It will be a class that teaches muggleborn students about Wizarding customs, History, and culture. It will be instated as a core class, much like Muggle Studies, mandatory up to fifth year when the students take their O.W.L.S. They both wish for me to teach this course," Naricssa explained in an even tone. Harry was surprised, but smiled warmly at the woman across from him.
"That's great Narcissa! I'm so happy for you!" he said genuinely.
"Thank you, Harry. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I really wish to make the right impression. As you know, many people still look upon me with disdain because of my allegiances during the war. I do not want parents to believe I am teaching their children the things that were taught to me. I want this course to be exactly what it is meant to be, a means to bridge the gap of confusion between Pureblooded Wizards, and muggleborns."
Harry understood what she was saying. Unfortunately he knew that no matter how well she taught the course, no matter how unbiased the curriculum was, there were still people so scarred by the war and blinded by their own prejudices that would assume she was trying to corrupt their children. Still, he liked the idea of this course a lot. He wished there'd been such a thing while he was in school. He could have avoided many an awkward situation if he'd known a little more about the world he was thrown into.
"I'll do anything I can to help you out, you know that. So tell me what you need," he said, causing Narcissa to smile at him again in that subtle way of hers.
"I have drawn up a first draft of the syllabus I would like to present to the Headmistress in my next meeting with her. I would appreciate it if you looked it over and gave me your thoughts. You came into our world from a muggle upbringing. If you have any ideas for things you wish you had learned about that do not appear on this syllabus, please feel free to give your suggestions," Narcissa said, handing over a roll of parchment.
Harry read over everything and found himself extremely impressed. Narcissa was covering everything from Ancient Wizard Societies to Common Social Norms. It was a very well rounded curriculum that started from the beginning of Magical Civilization, covered Muggle/Magical relations from the first civilizations until the present, the history of Pureblood customs/culture/social etiquette, and the deep seated fear of muggles the Wizarding World developed after the spread of Christian/Judeo religion. It completely explained those fears and how they only strengthened after the Magical World sealed itself off from the Muggle world for good and the International Wizarding Statute of Secrecy was instated. Understanding those fears would definitely help people understand why there was such a huge chasm between Purebloods and Muggleborns. It also explained things that Harry always wished he'd known, like a total breakdown of every department in the Ministry of Magic, the rights wizards in Britain are allowed, and different Holidays/Festivals that wizards observe throughout the world.
"Narcissa…this is amazing. I see so much that could really help our two sides to understand one another, and combining this with the Muggle Studies Curriculum will definitely bring us together!" Harry said. He saw Narcissa let out a slow breath of relief as if she were expecting a different reaction.
"I don't think I have anything to add, except that I really wish someone had taught me about how to manage my money before now." Narcissa nodded and made a note of it.
"I will add it in. That is definitely something that any wizard should be taught, not just Muggleborns. I believe I will add in a unit about prominent Wizarding families as well, how their titles/assets are passed down through the bloodline, and how they should be managed. It will not only help children such as yourself, who may have noble blood but were raised by muggles, but it will also help non-noble children understand Pureblood culture a little bit more."
"I think that's a good idea. The more we know about one another, the more we can erase those misunderstandings that caused us to separate in the first place. Hopefully we can take steps together to create a society that doesn't see people as Pureblood or Muggleborn, but just as people with the same rights to life and happiness as anyone else."
He watched Narcissa make notes on her first draft where she thought the new additions would fit into the curriculum. Seeing her so excited about this new class made Harry almost want to go back to Hogwarts. It wasn't that he never wanted to return, but he just hadn't thought much on the matter yet. September was still some time away, and he wasn't sure if he had the strength to go back there so soon after the Battle. He felt like he needed to work through more of his grief first before taking such a large step. Something inside him made him feel that he would end up back there to finish his education. He knew Hermione was planning on going back, as she planned to work for the Ministry of Magic pushing legislature that broadened the rights of sentient magical creatures. Wherever Hermione went, Ron would follow, and Harry knew he wouldn't be able to resist going back there to be with them.
"Harry? Are you alright?" he heard. He snapped out of his daze to see a pair of worried blue eyes looking at him.
"Err..yea. Sorry I was thinking," he said with an awkward laugh.
Narcissa looked at him for a few more moments before nodding and letting it go. Harry was glad that she was intuitive enough to know he really didn't want to talk about anything right now. Thoughts surrounding Hogwarts were still so confusing. He felt like he would just frustrate himself trying to explain them to another person.
"Well then, let me give you a more in depth idea of what each unit will encompass. Feel free to inject your suggestions at any point," she said.
Harry nodded, feeling happy that Narcissa trusted him so much with this, but he couldn't help but think that Hermione would be a much better partner for this project. He wondered if he could convince his brunette friend to work with Narcissa, and if said former-Malfoy would be comfortable consulting with her.

Draco was nervous. Here he was, standing outside the Burrow with George beside him about to tell Molly and Arthur Weasley that they had decided to be together. George didn't want to wait a moment to tell his family. He said that if it somehow got to them, and it wasn't he who told them, they would be hurt and upset. Draco understood. He knew the redhead and his family were very close. He just wasn't sure if the Weasley family could really accept him as a possible suitor for their son.
George didn't give him a moment to think before opening the door and walking right in. Of course, this was his home, so it made sense he wouldn't think twice about walking in without knocking. They were immediately greeted by an excited Molly Weasley who must have known her son was coming. Draco watched as the little woman enveloped her son in a warm hug before being unceremoniously drawn into one himself. He would have to get used to the warmth of these people. While he and his family loved one another, their way of showing that affection was not as overt as the Weasley family's. A touch on the shoulder, a pat on the head, and if his mother was feeling particularly affectionate a gentle hand brushing his cheek. Embraces were few and far between after he became of adolescent age. It wasn't because his parents didn't love him, but more so the Pureblood method of raising strong aloof men who could handle any situation with a calm and controlled ease.
"Welcome home George, it's so good to see you again. And you too Draco dear, I see you and my son have become quite good friends," she said, but the glint in her eyes told Draco that she was suspicious already of what their true relationship may be.
George only smiled at his mother, which told Draco that he had guessed the woman would probably put it together after seeing their closeness the night of Fred's funeral. How mothers were so all knowing, Draco honestly wasn't sure, but they all seemed to know things far before their children figured them out.
"Actually Mum, that's what we're here to talk to you about. Would you mind calling everyone to the living room. I'd really rather only have to say it once, and no matter how you guys feel about it…this is the decision I've made," George said, his tone amiable and firm at the same time.
Draco already knew there were at least two people in the family who weren't going to approve, possibly three if Arthur Weasley couldn't get past the quarrel he had with Draco's father. The blonde could only imagine what Ronald was going to say, but he knew he could count on Granger to work on the other young man as far as accepting it eventually. She always was a very accepting young witch, and even though Draco had yet to speak a word to her since the war, he knew she would be just like Harry and want her friend to be happy no matter who it was he chose to be with. Maybe Gryffindor loyalty wasn't such a stupid concept after all. Ginerva, however, would be vehemently against the idea of Draco and George together. He could only hope that the young girl's words wouldn't sway George from his decision. While the redhead seemed determined to stick to his word, Draco knew that his family was the most important thing to him. He would never want to lose them under any circumstances.
"Of course dear."
Within moments Draco and George were sitting across from some very confused looking Weasleys. Well, mostly. One of them was glaring at Draco with like she would very much like to set him on fire with her eyes. Draco let his own gaze fall to his lap. He was very nervous. So nervous, in fact, that he could feel his hands shaking as they gripped his knees. A large, warm hand fell over his and squeezed gently in support. Draco could feel the heat of every stare in the room move toward that action.
"You're my family, so I wanted to tell you this before someone out in the world snapped a photo and printed it all over the papers," George began. Draco couldn't bear to look at the expressions on the family's face.
"During my time living at Malfoy Manor, Draco and I have formed a very close friendship. He's helped me through a lot of the pain I've been feeling since the end of the war, since Fred…..well, anyway. We've both helped each other. He's been there to listen to me, and I him. Through that, we've forged a very close bond, and we came here today so I could tell you guys that I fully intend on courting this man sometime in the near future. I want him in my life," George said. He sounded so calm.
Draco couldn't comprehend it. He felt as if everyone in the room could hear the loud, rapid beating of his heart. He didn't realize that George was thinking so long term about them, but he didn't mind either. Draco would be more than happy to be courted by the other man. He just hoped his father could see past the red hair and family name to allow it. Not that Draco would listen if his father didn't approve. He just would rather nothing come between he and his family after they'd all just become so close again.
"Well then….I would like to say that I didn't see this coming, but that would be a lie. I saw it the day you came over after Fred's funeral. I knew something had developed between you then," was the response from not Molly, but surprisingly Arthur. Draco looked up to see the father of his soon to be significant other looking at them with a resigned expression on his face.
"In the past, I may have forbidden this, but I've learned a lot during these past few years. I don't like your father, Mr. Malfoy. I find him pompous, rude, and a complete bigot. But, you are not your father. If my son has chosen you, he must see something in you that made you worthy of his affection. I want him to be happy more than anything in the world, and I am going to have to trust that you can make it so," Arthur continued. Draco could not believe what the older man was saying. Would it really be this easy?
"But….if you hurt my child. If you break his heart. You will certainly become acquainted with just how formidable an enemy a Weasley can be. If you do harm to one of us, you will deal with all of us."
Ah…there it was. Draco had expected to be threatened, though the polite manner of it threw him off. Looking at the faces of the other Weasleys in the room, he could tell they all agreed with their father, even Ronald. All of them except Ginerva who was still trying to murder him with her glare. A stern look from her mother was all it took to make those eyes fall into her lap. With an awkward laugh, Molly came forward to soften the blow her husband's words had just delivered to Draco's nerves.
"That will be enough of that, Arthur. I trust our son's judgment. Welcome to the family Draco dear. I'm sure you have no intentions of hurting my boy," the woman said with a warm smile that caught the Malfoy off guard. Just like that huh?
"I have no such intentions, Mrs. Weasley. I care for your son very much. He knows things about me that I've told no one else, and would trust no one else with. He has been there, helping me since he arrived at my home when it was he who truly needed help. I would gladly have accepted just his friendship for the rest of my life, but I was very lucky to learn that he shared the feelings I had been concealing from him for such a long time. I truly believe, that when I finally heal enough that my heart can open up without fear…that I will come to love George more than I ever believed I could love another human being."
He felt a weight lift off his shoulders when he finally voiced his true feelings so completely for the first time. He flicked a look over to George, who was smiling at him with a warm tenderness in his eyes that made Draco's heart flutter. Looking back to Molly, he could see her and her husband exchange a pair of very knowing gazes to one another. At the same time, they looked back to Draco and Arthur stood with a hand extended in his direction.
"If that is how you feel, then I have no other choice than to accept you as George's choice in partner. I wish you both the best."
Draco allowed a small but genuine smile to break over his face, which he'd been carefully controlling so that none of them could see the nerves he'd been fighting since he walked in. He took Arthur Weasley's hand and shook it firmly, then succumbed to another warm tight hug from Molly Weasley. Looking towards the rest of the brood, he could see Ronald looking at him with resignation in his eyes from beside his girlfriend who looked like she couldn't be happier for George. Ginerva was silent, but had a deadly look in her eyes. Draco was glad her mother had the forethought to silence her magically before she entered the room, because that was the only way he could think that the girl wasn't screeching at him.
"I'll prepare us some lunch. Arthur, Ginerva, come help me please," Mrs. Weasley said in a tone that was friendly and warm but also let them know she wasn't actually asking them if they wanted to help. She was telling them to come help.
When they'd gone, it left Draco and George alone with the only other couple in the room. They stared at one another in awkward silence for a while. Draco took in the other two, Ronald looking pensive, as if he couldn't decide whether to get mad or to just accept things as they were. Granger was looking at the two of them with assessing eyes, just the way she looked at the world around her every day since the first time Draco had met her. Looking at her, Draco felt the need to break the silence. He had something to say that had been a long time coming, and he felt now was as good a time as any.
"Granger," he started, feeling a jolt of nerves hit his stomach when her sharp brown eyes focused on him. "I'm sorry."
Those sharp eyes widened in surprise before narrowing at him once again in scrutiny. She was going to watch his every expression and analyze his body language to assess his candidness.
"For what?" she asked, though he could tell they both knew the answer to that. He took a deep breath, thinking for a moment of what to say. There were so many things he needed to apologize to this woman about. So many things he was wrong about.
"For everything…" was about as eloquent as he could manage with all the thoughts whirling around in his head.
For a while, the brunette just stared at him. He could see the cogs turning in her mind behind her almond colored gaze, determining whether or not she was going to believe he was genuine in his regret or not. Then, her expression changed. Her face softened into a slight smile, that while guarded, gave Draco some hope that he may be able to repair his burned bridges with even the people he'd hurt the most in his past.
"Thank you, Draco."
Again, a large weight seemed to lift off his shoulders. He smiled back at the young woman, before flicking a look towards her thoroughly uncomfortable and baffled looking boyfriend. Ronald cringed but sighed in resignation.
"Listen Malfoy…I don't like you. I probably never will. But it took some serious stones to come here and tell my family about you and George knowing we're not exactly your number one fans. It also took some serious strength to apologize to 'Mione like that and admit that you were wrong. So, I don't like you…but I can be an adult and be respectful of you if you can do the same."
Draco merely nodded. He'd do anything to make his relationship with George's family more favorable. Even if it meant eating his old feelings about Ronald Weasley, and being willing to treat that old rival with respect. He felt George squeeze his hand again, and turned his eyes over to the other man's. George was smiling, and in that moment Draco felt warm, cared for. He really wanted to kiss the other man again, but his thoughts were interrupted by none other than Ronald Weasley.
"That being said, please don't kiss in front of me…I dunno if I can deal with that yet," he said in an obviously disgusted tone.
Draco couldn't help the slight chuckle that left him, as he turned his eyes back on the couple across from them. He saw Granger slap her boyfriend on the shoulder and scold him for being rude, to which Ronald argued he didn't want to see any of his brothers kissing anyone. This began a bout of bickering that had both Draco and George amused until Molly came in to let them know lunch was ready.
"See, that wasn't so bad was it?" George said as they headed into the dining room. Draco smiled at him and shook his head.
"No…but now we've got to tell my parents," he replied, watching as George paled slightly.
Draco just smirked. His parents would definitely have fun with hazing a nervous George Weasley into the family. He really hoped that they would approve.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review! They are the sustenance that fuels my motivation to write even when I'm exhausted!
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The Aftermath of War